Iowa’s Late Goose Season

These pre-snow geese found our decoy spread appealing.

The second week of December, in Iowa, marks the end of duck season, the start of 2nd shotgun season, and the start of late goose season.  As December progresses, thousands of geese will hold up in Iowa while there is abundant food, and open water.  For many, this is the time of the year they have been waiting for.  While I still prefer to shoot greenheads, shooting a limit of honkers as almost as appealing.

 

What makes this time of year so exciting?  Its the snow!  Once it snows, snow covered blinds disappear in the fields.  Birds congregate on isolated fields and become reasonably patternable.  When you combine these variables, you have a recipe for some fun and exciting hunting.

 

Late season goose hunting is not for everyone.  It is cold, takes a lot of scouting, and is not an inexpensive sport.  Blinds, decoys, and trailers are fairly expensive tools of the trade.  However, those who take part in this season experience one of the funnest styles of hunting there is.